Two Nigerian soldiers have been confirmed dead and one injured following a roadside bomb explosion along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road in Borno State.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement released on Wednesday, April 30, said the troops were escorting civilians from Damboa to the Komala exchange point when their vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device (IED).
The attack occurred on Tuesday, April 29, around 4:30 p.m.
“Troops of 25 Brigade Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team, while on road dominance patrol and escort duty for civilians moving from Damboa to the Komala exchange point, encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road,” the Army said.
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“Tragically, two courageous soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty, and one other sustained injuries.”
Although the Army did not directly attribute the attack to any group, Boko Haram, which has a long-standing presence in the area, is widely suspected.
The deadly blast took place around the same time a handing over ceremony was ongoing between outgoing and incoming commanders of the Army’s 7 Division in Maiduguri.
Tuesday’s attack is the latest reminder of the continued danger facing troops and civilians in northeastern Nigeria, where landmines and ambushes remain a deadly tactic used by insurgents.